Minimal Framing Apparatus and Method

ABSTRACT

A frame for mounting artwork includes an upper set of substrates including an upper first substrate and an upper second substrate, wherein each of the upper first and second substrates include an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner surface of the upper first substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities, and an inner surface of the upper second substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities. The artwork is positioned between the inner surface of the upper first substrate and the inner surface of the upper second substrate during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/180,045, filed on Jun. 15, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a poster and picture display apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a frame including magnets embedded into thin substrates that allows for customizing the orientation of the display to fit posters of varied sizes.

Traditional framing solutions are restraining and inflexible. If the standard sizes in poster frames do not fit the artwork to be framed, expensive custom framing or dull commercial mounting systems are the only options. And when the time comes to redecorate, these framing “solutions” become part of the problem, requiring tedious extrication and reinstallation procedures. Sometimes they involve removing a glass pane without smudging or breaking it. Other times the user spends hours scraping adhesive putty from the wall. Worse still is the challenge of lifting a heavy frame back into its desired position. And after all the effort of framing a picture, the frame itself can only work again for artwork of the same size. Additionally, common framing staples wear out, fall out, or break, rendering the frame useless.

A further cause for concern of any household product is the possibility that the product has been made using harmful techniques or chemicals. Conscientious consumers may worry that the products they buy have an effect not only on their health, but also on the artwork to be framed as well as the health of the individuals making the product. For this reason, some individuals may favor a framing solution that uses natural materials and techniques.

Accordingly, there is a need for a poster and picture display apparatus that is easy to install, simple to use and reuse, amenable to posters and pictures of various sizes, aesthetically appealing, inexpensive to make, and that has the potential to be made using natural materials and techniques, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides poster and picture display apparatus that is easy to install and use, and can be adjusted for artwork of various sizes. Further, the frame of the present application is inexpensive to make, and can be made using natural materials and techniques.

By providing a design that includes four thin strips of substrate with corresponding magnets to hold the poster in place, the framing apparatus achieves both the form and function of traditional framing without the difficulty of other mounting options.

In one embodiment, the frame for mounting artwork includes an upper set of substrates including an upper first substrate and an upper second substrate, wherein each of the upper first and second substrates include an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner surface of the upper first substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities, and an inner surface of the upper second substrate includes one or more negatively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities. The artwork is positioned between the inner surface of the upper first substrate and the inner surface of the upper second substrate during use.

The frame may also include a lower set of substrates including a lower first substrate and a lower second substrate. Each of the lower first and second substrates includes an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner surface of the lower first substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities, and an inner surface of the lower second substrate includes one or more negatively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities. The artwork is positioned between the inner surface of the lower first substrate and the inner surface of the lower second substrate during use.

One of the key aspects of the invention is the construction techniques used to secure the magnets within the frame. In order to achieve the objective of constructing the display apparatus without the use of adhesives, the magnets may be embedded into the frame as described below. In production, cavities are drilled into inner surfaces of the substrates. Each cavity has a parameter, such as (but not limited to) thickness or diameter, that is slightly smaller that the magnets. The magnets are then embedded into the cavities by way of a press fit using an industrial press after the wood frames have been kiln dried, for example to an approximately about 6% to about 8% moisture content, and before the wood frames have returned to an ambient level moisture content. This does two things: (i) with the magnets secured slightly below the surface of the frame, the entire length of the frame is a clamping surface; and (ii) because wood is slightly elastic in nature, the magnets become permanently embedded in the frame, without the use of adhesive, when the wood swells back to its normal size after the moisture content adjusts to the ambient conditions. Drying the wood frames to a moisture content low enough to enable the swelling of the wood at ambient temperatures permanently locks the magnets in place. The result is an inner surface with no possibility of adhesive leaking onto the framed artwork and a full length of the frame clamping effect that prevents the artwork from being damaged by a protruding magnet.

The upper first substrate and the lower first substrate may receive positively-aligned magnets while the upper second substrate and the lower second substrate receive negatively-aligned magnets. This magnetization creates an attraction between strips of opposing polarity, and results in two pairs of substrates that adhere to one another. Furthermore, the placement of the magnets allows the strips of substrate to automatically align with one another.

Additionally, outer surfaces of the substrates may have pre-drilled counter-bore holes for installing mounting hardware to mount the frame to the wall. When the mounting hardware is installed and mounted to the wall, the hardware may sit below the surface of the substrate, ensuring that no hardware comes in contact with the framed piece. To install an artwork, the user simply aligns the artwork over the mounted strip and then places the opposing strip over the artwork, corresponding with the placement of the mounted strip. The attraction between the opposing strips pins the artwork in place and suspends it against the wall. To complete the installation, the user may either mount the other piece of substrate with counter-bore holes to the wall or simply place the other pair of opposing strip at the bottom of the poster to weigh it down and prevent curling. In either scenario, the intention of the lower portion of the invention is to hold the artwork in a flat position and prevent it from curling up. The upper and lower sets of substrates also create symmetry between the top and bottom portion of the display, which strengthens the aesthetic appeal.

Depending on the material used for the substrate, wood may be dried in a kiln to from about 6% to about 8% moisture content. The magnets may be placed in the wood substrate at this lower moisture percentage. Then, when the wood reaches its ambient moisture content (about 10% to about 12%), the wood will have swelled. By drilling and embedding magnets prior to wood “normalizing” to the higher moisture content level, the wood swells slightly, permanently locking the installed magnets into the framing apparatus. This may eliminate the need for adhesives in the magnet-embedding process.

Depending on the material used for the substrate, the framing apparatus may achieve a stronger bond due to production techniques. For example, in the case of wood, the inner surfaces may be treated with a finish compound such as polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish in order to produce a raised grain surface. If the inner surfaces are left un-sanded, the substrate may achieve a slight grip on the material being displayed from the raised grain in the wood.

An object of the invention is to provide a solution to poster and picture display that is easy to install. This design has only one thin, lightweight component that needs to be mounted to the wall for the invention to function. Simple magnetization completes the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution to poster and picture display that fits a variety of poster sizes. The lack of side substrates (which are included in standard frames) of the apparatus accommodates differing poster dimensions.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a framing solution that uses adhesive-free methods for embedding magnets into wood substrate.

A further object of the invention is to provide a solution to poster and picture display that is easy to use and reuse. When users want to attach or swap display material, they simply remove the magnetized strips and place new material between them without needing to unmount any portion from the wall.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a solution to poster and picture display that is inexpensive to make. This invention consists of accessible components that are put together without the use of any complicated techniques.

An advantage of the invention is that it reusable since magnets maintain their attraction indefinitely.

Another advantage of the invention is that it is aesthetically appealing.

A further advantage of the invention is that it can be constructed with natural materials, such as wood.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that it is safer to use and install than frames that incorporate glass or sharp edges. The edges may have a slight bevel, which reduces the risk of injury due to contact with a sharp edge.

Another advantage of the invention is that it uses less material than traditional frames.

A further advantage of this invention is that it can ship compactly. The frame may be shipped simply and easily as deconstructed elements inside a standard mailing tube or container.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that it may be constructed so that no potentially harmful materials, such as adhesive or hardware, come into direct contact with the material being displayed.

Another advantage of the invention is that the specific construction techniques described herein enable construction of the apparatus without the use of any adhesives.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of a frame for mounting artwork.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of an upper set of substrates of the frame of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a substrate of the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a magnet of the substrate of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application provides a frame 10 for mounting artwork 12 to a wall 13 that can be customized to fit artwork of various sizes. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 10 includes an upper set 14 of substrates and a lower set 16 of substrates positioned adjacent an upper end 18 and a lower end 20 of the artwork 12, respectively, during use. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the upper and lower sets 14, 16 of substrates are made of wood, although any suitable material such as plastic, specifically high density polyethylene, may be used.

Referring to FIG. 2, the artwork 12 is positioned between a first upper substrate 22 and a second upper substrate 24 of the upper set 14 of substrates. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, magnets 26, 28 are embedded in the first and second upper substrates 22, 24, respectively, to hold the substrates 22, 24 together. Each substrate 22, 24 may include two magnets 26, 28 as illustrated in FIG. 3, three magnets 26, 28 as illustrated in FIG. 5, or any number of magnets 26, 28 as necessary or desired based on the size and weight of the artwork.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, one or more positively-aligned magnets 26 are positioned in respective cavities 30 within an inner surface 32 of the upper first substrate 22, and one or more negatively-aligned magnets 28 are positioned in respective cavities 34 within an inner surface 36 of the upper second substrate 24. The positions of the positively-aligned magnet(s) 26 of the upper first substrate 22 correspond to the positions of the negatively-aligned magnets 28 of the upper second substrate 24 when the upper first and second substrates 22, 24 are aligned.

Similarly, the lower set 16 of substrates includes magnets to hold a lower first substrate 38 and a lower second substrate 40 together. One or more positively-aligned magnets 42 are positioned in respective cavities 44 within an inner surface 46 of the lower first substrate 38, and one or more negatively-aligned magnets 48 are positioned in respective cavities 50 within an inner surface 52 of the lower second substrate 40. The positions of the positively-aligned magnet(s) 42 of the lower first substrate 38 correspond to the positions of the negatively-aligned magnets 48 of the lower second substrate 40 when the lower first and second substrates 38, 40 are aligned.

Referring to FIG. 3, each substrate 22, 24, 38, 40 may include one or more counterbore holes 54 that each receives mounting hardware such as a screw 56 for mounting the frame 10 to the wall 13. Alternatively, the frame 10 may be mounted onto the wall 13 using non-permanent mounting methods such as adhesive putty, tape, or other removable means.

During the manufacturing of the frame 10 from a wood material, each cavity 30, 34, 44, 50 is drilled with a parameter that is slightly less than the respective parameter of the corresponding magnet 26, 28, 42, 48. For example, the cavity 30, 34, 44, 50 may have a slightly smaller diameter and/or height than the diameter and/or height, respectively, of the magnet 26, 28, 42, 48. After the cavities 30, 34, 44, 50 have been drilled into each respective substrate 22, 24, 38, 40, the substrates 22, 24, 38, 40 are dried to a moisture content that is less than the ambient moisture content, causing the wood to shrink and the cavities 30, 34, 44, 50 to expand. In some example processes, the substrates 22, 24, 38, 40 have a moisture content of between about 10% to about 12% in an ambient environment and are dried to a moisture content of between about 6% and about 8%.

Once the substrates 22, 24, 38, 40 have been dried as shown in FIG. 4, the positively-aligned magnet(s) 26, 42 and the negatively-aligned magnet(s) 28, 48 are positioned in the respective cavities 30, 34, 44, 50 in the upper first and second substrates 22, 24, respectively, and the lower first and second substrates 38, 40, respectively. The moisture content of the substrates 22, 24, 38, 40 then returns to the ambient moisture content, causing the wood to swell and the cavities 30, 34, 44, 50 to hold the magnets 26, 28, 42, 48 in place without the use of adhesives.

Alternatively, each substrate 22, 24, 38, 40 may be comprised of a material that is sufficiently elastic so that the magnets 26, 28, 42, 48 may be press-fit into the respective cavities 30, 34, 44, 50 without reducing or modifying the moisture content. One example material is plastic, such as high density polyethylene, although other suitable materials may also be used. Similar to the wooden material, the plastic substrates 22, 24, 38, 40 hold the magnets 26, 28, 42, 48 in the cavities 30, 34, 44, 50 without the use of adhesives.

To use the frame 10, the user first selects one of the upper first and second substrates 22, 24 and mounts it to the wall 13. Once the first substrate 22, 24 is mounted, the user positions the upper end 18 of the artwork 12 against the substrate 22, 24 mounted to the wall 13 and places the corresponding substrate 22, 24 directly on top of the mounted substrate 22, 24. The magnets 26, 28 will automatically align the upper first and second substrate 22, 24. The user then positions the lower set 16 of substrates about the lower end 20 of the artwork 12. The user may mount one of the lower first and second substrates 38, 40 to the wall 13 adjacent to the lower end 20 of the artwork 12, and then position the corresponding substrate 38, 40 directly on top of the mounted substrate 38, 40.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. 

I claim:
 1. A frame for mounting artwork comprising: an upper set of substrates including an upper first substrate and an upper second substrate, wherein each of the upper first and second substrates include an inner surface and an outer surface; wherein an inner surface of the upper first substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities; wherein an inner surface of the upper second substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities; wherein the artwork is positioned between the inner surface of the upper first substrate and the inner surface of the upper second substrate during use.
 2. The frame of claim 1, further comprising a lower set of substrates including a lower first substrate and a lower second substrate, wherein each of the lower first and second substrates include an inner surface and an outer surface; wherein an inner surface of the lower first substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities; wherein an inner surface of the lower second substrate includes one or more positively-aligned magnets in corresponding one or more cavities; wherein the artwork is positioned between the inner surface of the lower first substrate and the inner surface of the lower second substrate during use.
 3. The frame of claim 2, further comprising mounting hardware secured to an outer surface of the upper second substrate.
 4. The frame of claim 3, further comprising mounting hardware secured to an outer surface of the lower second substrate.
 5. The frame of claim 1, wherein the upper set of substrates are free from adhesive.
 6. The frame of claim 1, wherein the upper set of substrates are comprised of wood.
 7. The frame of claim 1, wherein the upper set of substrates are comprised of plastic.
 8. The frame of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more positively-aligned magnets and each of the one or more negatively-aligned magnets have a thickness that is less than a thickness of the corresponding cavity.
 9. A method for manufacturing a frame comprising the steps of: providing first and second substrates comprised of wood; providing first and second positively-aligned magnets and first and second negatively-aligned magnets, each magnet having a magnet parameter; drilling first and second cavities on an inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the first and second cavities has a parameter smaller than the magnet parameter; drilling first and second cavities on an inner surface of the second substrate, wherein each of the first and second cavities has a parameter smaller than the magnet parameter; drying the first and second substrates to a moisture content that is less than an ambient moisture content; positioning the first and second positively-aligned magnets in the first and second cavities on an inner surface of the first substrate; positioning the first and second negatively-aligned magnets in the first and second cavities on an inner surface of the first substrate; and allowing the moisture content of the first and second substrates to return to the ambient moisture content.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second positively-aligned magnets are press-fit into the first and second cavities of the inner surface of the first substrate, and wherein the first and second negatively-aligned magnets are press-fit into the first and second cavities on the inner surface of the first substrate.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the ambient moisture content is between about 10% and about 12%.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of drying the first and second substrates comprises drying the first and second substrates to a moisture content of between about 6% and about 8%.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the magnet parameter is a magnet diameter, and wherein the parameter is a diameter.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the magnet parameter is a magnet thickness, and wherein the parameter is a thickness. 